š° Supreme Court Sounds Alarm on Dog Bites: Orders Stray Dogs to Be Cleared from Schools, Hospitals & Public Spots šØš¶
- MediaFx
- 29 minutes ago
- 2 min read
TL;DR:Concerned over a sharp rise in dog-bite incidents across India, the Supreme CourtĀ has directed civic bodies and state authorities to remove stray dogs from school premises, hospitals, and bus stands. The Court stressed that public safety must come first, even as it urged compassion and proper shelter management. āļø
Whatās Happening?
The Supreme Court bench, while hearing multiple petitions on stray dog management, expressed serious concern over the alarming increase in attacks, especially involving children and senior citizens.
The bench observed that āno one should be unsafe while walking on a public road or entering a school.ā
It ordered all state governments and local bodies to immediately identify, capture, and relocate stray dogsĀ from sensitive zonesĀ like schools, hospitals, bus terminals, and marketplaces.
The Court clarified that the process should be carried out āscientifically and humanely,āĀ ensuring no cruelty or harm to the animals.
It also directed authorities to strengthen Animal Birth Control (ABC) programsĀ and establish sterilization and vaccination facilitiesĀ in every district within 6 months.
Importantly, the Court emphasized coordination between Municipal Corporations and Animal Welfare Boards, stating that both public safety and animal rights must coexist āin balance.ā
Why It Matters
India has witnessed a threefold rise in reported dog-bite casesĀ since 2020 (as per National Health Mission data).
Nearly 18 lakh casesĀ were recorded last year ā a public health crisis linked to urban neglect and poor animal control systems.
The Courtās order effectively puts pressure on local administrationsĀ that have often failed to act despite repeated warnings.
For parents and schools, this comes as relief after a spate of incidents where children were bitten on school grounds.
Animal rights groups, however, are calling for better shelters instead of mass removal, warning that relocation without care will worsen the issue.
Who Gains & Who Loses?
Gains:
Public & Schools:Ā Immediate safety from aggressive or unvaccinated stray dogs.
Local Authorities:Ā Legal clarity to act swiftly on stray management.
Health Sector:Ā Lower risk of rabies and bite-related emergencies.
Losses:
Animal Activists:Ā Fear that civic bodies may resort to inhumane methodsĀ or culling under pressure.
Street Dog Care NGOs:Ā Concerned about disruption of community dog networks that keep rabies spread in check.
The Bigger Picture
This ruling highlights Indiaās urban conflict between compassion and control.
With over 62 million stray dogs, experts warn that removal alone wonāt solve the crisisĀ unless backed by consistent vaccination, sterilization, and shelter funding.
The judgment also rekindles debate over municipal accountability, with many cities lacking even basic animal control infrastructure.
As one legal observer put it:
āThe Court is not anti-animal ā itās anti-inaction. India needs both empathy and efficiency to coexist safely.ā
The next compliance hearing is expected in December 2025, where states will present progress reports on their stray management plans.
